Samsung Galaxy S26 review: an excellent but overly cautious smartphone

Harriet Collins • August 29, 2026 08:57

Three models, one shared ambition… but they do not all receive the same spotlight. Once again this year, Samsung has focused attention within its S26 range on the Ultra, while the standard S26 occupies a quieter role. Yet it is this model that should account for most sales. More compact and more affordable, it represents the range’s balance. The remaining question is whether this formula still has that touch of daring that makes people want one.

It would be easy to forget that there are still three of them. Since Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy S generation at the end of February, it has concentrated the bulk of its marketing and media efforts on the Ultra model: photographic performance, the sheer power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, and, above all, a proper technological showcase in the form of Privacy Display. This technology is designed to restrict viewing angles and shield the screen from prying eyes; we cover it in greater depth in our full review of that model.

Against this backdrop, the Galaxy S26+ and, particularly, the Galaxy S26 have almost gone unnoticed. But they are here. And in terms of volume, the S26 should once again carry the range in 2026. Its more compact size also makes it the most “affordable” model in price terms, and therefore the easiest one to recommend to the widest audience.

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On reflection, Samsung’s emphasis on the Ultra also comes down to the fact that its biggest new features are found there. Alongside it, the Galaxy S26 looks restrained-far more restrained. That impression is not entirely new. Last year, the Galaxy S25 extended the Galaxy S24 experience without any genuine missteps, but it did not deliver a real break from the past either.

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Base price: €999

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On paper, then, the Galaxy S26 follows that same path. Even if it does not surprise or inspire immediate desire, one straightforward question remains: is the Galaxy S26 still an excellent smartphone? We spent a month using it to find out clearly.

Price and availability

For the first time in several generations, Samsung has allowed its prices to climb. The Galaxy S26, the range’s most “affordable” handset, now starts at €999 for the 12GB/256GB version.

This year, then, there is no €899 entry point with 128GB of storage. On paper, the increase remains limited, at roughly €40 more for an equivalent configuration compared with the Galaxy S25. More notably, Samsung now costs more than its main rival in this segment. The iPhone 17 is priced at €969 with 256GB, making it €30 cheaper at the same capacity.

The higher-spec version sees a more substantial rise. The 12GB/512GB model climbs from €1,079 to €1,199. As for colours, Samsung sticks with understated finishes in black, grey, blue and green.

Where Samsung no longer needs to surprise us

A display that remains exceptionally well controlled

First, the smartphone’s panel grows slightly, moving from 6.2 to 6.3 inches. It is a subtle change that is almost impossible to notice in the hand, but it brings the phone in line with the iPhone 17, Google Pixel 10 and Xiaomi 17.

At this size, the compact smartphone segment seems to have found its new balance point. It is also gradually getting bigger: as a reminder, the S23 still featured a 6.1-inch screen.

For everything else, Samsung retains a formula it knows inside out: an LTPO AMOLED panel, Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), and an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz. In day-to-day use, there is very little to criticise. Brightness rises high enough to ensure excellent outdoor visibility.

Sitting outside in the middle of the afternoon with the screen facing the sun, I had no trouble checking emails or enjoying the comments section beneath a SoFoot article. There are some reflections on very bright surfaces or in low-angle direct sunlight, but the display remains legible in the vast majority of situations.

Its colour reproduction is immediately appealing, too. Colours are rich and contrasty, with Samsung’s characteristically slightly warm rendering working very well on a daily basis. It is particularly enjoyable when moving between TikTok, Instagram and video game reviews on YouTube.

With closer inspection, the most exacting users may still spot a few inaccuracies. Reds can look a little oversaturated, while whites lean very slightly warm. The overall presentation remains coherent, and becomes more accurate in “Natural” mode.

A successful return to Exynos

Samsung has changed its approach again this year. Following a Galaxy S25 generation that used Snapdragon throughout, the manufacturer is returning to a hybrid arrangement. The Galaxy S26 and S26+ switch back to Exynos-the 2600, to be precise-while the Ultra receives a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC.

This return matters. In 2025, Samsung put its own chips to one side to guarantee consistent performance and avoid criticism. The decision worked, but it was expensive. At a time when component prices continue to rise and margins are tightening, relying exclusively on Qualcomm would inevitably have pushed prices even higher.

The final bill, already higher this year, would probably have been steeper still. Samsung is therefore taking back control of its chips and reducing its reliance on Qualcomm, without yet being able to do without it entirely. It is both a strategic and industrial choice. For outright power, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 remains today’s benchmark. In practice, however, the difference is hard to detect. The Galaxy S26 is perfectly fluid: navigation, multitasking, launching the camera and image processing all happen without delay.

Its 12GB of RAM provides genuine comfort, even with a large number of applications open in the background. It is difficult to ask for more from a compact smartphone. Unless you carry out advanced video editing-which remains marginal for a device of this format-there is more than enough power for most people.

On the graphics side, differences do exist, but they mainly emerge over longer periods. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 uses an Adreno 830 GPU that is more consistent during lengthy sessions. The Exynos 2600, meanwhile, features an Xclipse 950 GPU based on AMD architecture and is far from disappointing. Every demanding game in the Play Store runs at maximum graphics settings.

During the opening minutes, everything remains smooth, with no frame-rate drops or visible instability. After around 20 minutes of intensive use, however, slight throttling appears as the processor regulates itself to limit heat. After roughly 30 minutes, the Galaxy S26 becomes warm rather than genuinely hot. You can notice it, but it never becomes uncomfortable to hold.

Where Samsung attempts to surprise

A backwards step in aesthetics

Inevitably, its marginally larger display makes the Galaxy S26 both thicker and heavier. It measures 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2mm and weighs 167g, versus 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2mm and 162g for the S25. This is nothing radical, as it remains excellent to hold. Weight distribution is well judged, and the handset sits nicely in the palm thanks to its subtly rounded edges and flat sides.

Samsung continues to offer premium construction, with an aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and rear. The matt Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back feels pleasant and does a fairly effective job of limiting fingerprints in everyday use.

That said, the rear of the S26 does not look exactly like that of its predecessor. Samsung has abandoned sensors integrated directly into the chassis, returning instead to a more conventional camera island with an oblong protrusion. As you can see, the difference between the S26 camera block on the left below and last year’s S25 on the right is striking.

In reality, this step backwards does not entirely convince us. Visually, the design looks almost familiar already, while the handset is unstable when placed on a table. It is a noticeable change, but it feels more like a sideways move than a genuine risk. Looking at the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, it is clear that there is scope to bring some freshness to this part of a smartphone.

Slightly improved battery life

The Galaxy S26 battery gains a little capacity, reaching 4,300mAh compared with 4,000mAh on the S25. It is a restrained increase, but one that fits the smartphone’s positioning. Samsung maintains a compact form factor at 167g and 7.2mm thick, a balance that is increasingly rare at the premium end of the market.

Its rivals make different choices. The Pixel 10 reaches 4,970mAh, but in a more substantial chassis weighing 204g and measuring 8.6mm thick. Xiaomi goes even further with the Xiaomi 17, offering 6,000mAh at 191g and 8.06mm thick: a broadly similar format, ultimately, but with far more capacity.

The difference is not simply a matter of dimensions; it is also technological. Xiaomi uses a silicon-carbon battery here, allowing higher energy density and therefore greater capacity without excessively penalising the form factor. The Pixel 10 and Galaxy S26 both remain with a more conventional lithium-ion basis. Does that mean Samsung is behind?

Not necessarily. Silicon-carbon technology can push the limits on paper, but it remains more complex to manage over time, especially in terms of stability and ageing. Samsung appears to be prioritising reliability before wider adoption. It is a cautious, almost conservative approach, but one that fits its way of bringing technology to mass production.

In use, the choice is defensible. The Galaxy S26 outperforms the S25. The Exynos 2600 delivers steadier power management. The result is a comfortable day and a half with conventional use; even with heavier use, it easily lasts through both the day and evening. It is nothing spectacular compared with the market’s best performers, but once again, the S26 is not trying to impress.

Is the controversy over Galaxy S26 battery wear really justified?

A few days before launch, the Galaxy S26 was criticised in numerous articles-sometimes alarmingly so-over the longevity of its battery. The concern stemmed from data on the European energy label, which indicates around 40% fewer cycles than the S25 before capacity falls to 80%: approximately 1,200 cycles for the S26 versus 2,000 for the S25.

Taken in isolation, that figure may be surprising. Put into context, though, it tells a different story. On those same labels, the iPhone 17 and Xiaomi 17 are both rated for around 1,000 cycles. The Galaxy S26 remains above that level.

In other words, it does no worse than its rivals. It is primarily the S25 family that sat well above the pack. Another frequently overlooked point is that a cycle represents a complete charge from 0 to 100%. In reality, charging is split into shorter top-ups, which mechanically spreads wear over time.

Finally, this theoretical decline comes with another change. The Galaxy S26 delivers slightly better everyday endurance, thanks to more stable power management than the previous generation. Put differently, it needs charging less often for equivalent use. Taking these factors together, it is difficult to see a genuine problem.

In practical terms, the S26 should last for several years of use without difficulty-around three to four years-before its battery truly starts to decline. That is well beyond the average replacement cycle.

Where Samsung struggles to surprise

Charging: time seems to have stood still

On this point, the verdict is unequivocal. The Galaxy S26 is still limited to 25W wired charging, just like the S25, S24 and even the S23. In fact, you have to go back to the Galaxy S21 to find the same limit. Five generations later, nothing has changed. The context has admittedly evolved: SoCs have become more efficient, power management has improved, and overall endurance has increased slightly. Samsung is doing the work in that respect, and the S26 performs better than its predecessors in everyday use.

According to our measurements, it takes a little over 30 minutes to recover around 50% battery. That pace is still adequate for a quick top-up before going out. The final part of the charge takes longer, however. The last few percentage points are slower to reach, and a full charge takes around 1 hour 15 minutes. That is a slight improvement over the S25, but it does not transform the experience.

Above all, when Chinese competitors can fully charge a smartphone in 20 to 30 minutes, Samsung continues at a far more measured pace. It is a choice consistent with the battery-preservation strategy mentioned above, but one that remains frustrating in use.

Photography: algorithms can only do so much

There is another strong sense of déjà vu here. Samsung has carried over the Galaxy S25 camera setup unchanged for the Galaxy S26: a 50-megapixel main sensor (f/1.8), a 12-megapixel ultra-wide (f/2.4), and a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto (f/2.2). To justify this status quo, Samsung is once again relying on software, with algorithms said to be more refined and intelligent, and capable of extracting more from unchanged hardware.

It is hard to deny that this works, particularly with the main sensor. The software processing is apparent straight away. Shots have a more balanced and less aggressive look than before, especially in very bright scenes. Dynamic range improves, contrast is handled better, and images have more breathing room. The South Korean manufacturer’s colour signature remains clearly present and consistently flattering, especially in warm tones and everyday scenes, although it can still look a little showy.

The ultra-wide remains a step behind and would clearly benefit from further refinement. Detail levels are acceptable in broad daylight, but the image tends to darken around the edges as light falls. Sharpness is also uneven. It is not disastrous, but it feels as though we are reading last year’s notes again.

The same applies to the 3x telephoto. Still very useful for portraits and more distant scenes, it produces clean results in good light, with accurate subject separation and convincing background blur. The 3x zoom remains effective, but its limits show quickly beyond 10x. Exposure is better controlled in portrait mode, though the gains remain modest.

At night, the S26 performs very well, especially in urban scenes full of light sources. Signs, street lamps and shop windows: the smartphone handles highlights very effectively and keeps halos under control.

That control has a downside, however. Samsung tends to smooth and reconstruct the image, with exposure occasionally pushed a little too far and a result that moves away from reality.

Galaxy AI: a genuine reason to buy?

Over the past three years, Samsung has clearly shifted the centre of attraction for its Galaxy S handsets towards the Galaxy AI ecosystem. One thing should be acknowledged: Samsung is now among the most advanced manufacturers in this area, both in the breadth of its features and in their everyday maturity.

With One UI 8.5, this momentum strengthens further. Photo editing becomes more accessible, using text or voice commands to alter an image. With Now Nudge, the keyboard analyses context to suggest actions or automatically structure a message. Audio Eraser expands to third-party applications such as YouTube and TikTok, while internal search improves with a tool that can find content and applications more intelligently.

For a complete analysis of these additions, we invite you to read our Galaxy S26 Ultra review. Apart from Privacy Display, the three new models share exactly the same software experience.

And that is precisely where the question arises. However well integrated it may be, is the Galaxy AI ecosystem really a reason to buy the S26? A large proportion of these features is set to arrive through One UI 8.5 on the Galaxy S25, S24 and S23. In other words, Samsung has never kept these innovations exclusively to itself. While that strategy benefits users, it does not necessarily work in the S26’s favour this year.

Indeed, if you already own a recent Galaxy, the experience will be very similar. Galaxy AI is therefore not, by itself, a compelling enough reason to upgrade. For someone coming from another Android smartphone, however, Galaxy AI can represent a genuine step up.

Our verdict on the Samsung Galaxy S26

To answer our opening question: yes, without hesitation, the Galaxy S26 is an excellent smartphone. Its screen is bright and well calibrated, performance is beyond reproach, and battery life has improved. Its compact format will undoubtedly appeal to those who do not want to move to the excess of an S26 Ultra. In use, Samsung has produced a highly mature smartphone that is difficult to fault.

And that is exactly where the debate begins. Impressive as this mastery may be, it comes with a degree of stagnation. The design changes little, or even for the worse; photography still relies heavily on software; and charging has not changed for several generations. Galaxy AI, arguably the most accomplished AI ecosystem on Android today, cannot on its own act as a differentiator. A large share of the new features will reach previous generations, all the way back to the Galaxy S23. As a result, unless you are coming from an older model or another brand, it is difficult to see a sufficiently major leap to justify upgrading.

Ultimately, it is not so much the Galaxy S26 that we want to criticise, but Samsung itself. The South Korean company is moving forward too cautiously and is becoming less surprising. It should take care: a lack of originality is often the first step towards boredom.

Galaxy S26 256GB at the best price

Base price: €999

Retailer	Discount	Price	Offer
Rakuten	-30%	€699	View offer
Amazon	-26%	€741	View offer
Cdiscount	-8%	€919	View offer
Samsung		€999	View offer
Boulanger		€999	View offer
eBay		€999	View offer
Rueducommerce		€999	View offer

See more offers